The Gleann Eidhneach Horseshoe

This is one of the classiest walks in Connemara. It includes one of the most spectacular ridge walks in the area offering views of the Glaciated peaks and valleys of the Bens. It is an advanced route and should be attempted only by people who have gained considerable mountaineering experience.
This route includes the following peaks:

• Binn Bhán (730 m)
• Binn Dhubh (698 m)
• Binn an tSaidhdiúra (700 m)
• Binn an Choire Bhig (582 m)

Access to this area is on the small road off the main road in the Inagh Valley at L820562. Park your car along the main road. There is no parking available on the small road which leads into Gleann Eidhneach itself.

Route Description

The route begins beyond the gate which is west of the farm house. Follow the path below the sheep fold at L813564 and continue along the valley floor of Gleann Eidhneach for another 2 km. You then ascend the slope of the ridge between Binn Charrach (Knockpasteenmore) and Binn Bhán. This takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Once on top of the ridge, continue in a South Westerly direction towards the summit of Binn Bhán. Eventually, you will come across a small mountain trail which zig zags on the right hand side (North side) of the summit, before turning South high up, the final few hundred meters to the summit.

The view from the top is excellent. One can admire the beauty of the surrounding areas, the entire Twelve Bens, the Maamturk range on the North Eastern side of the Inagh valley, and on a clear day, the Aran Islands to the south and Inish Bofin to the West.

The decent is down the South side, avoiding the crags at L788535. Care should be taken here, particularly when walking on the scree slopes in bad weather. Once below these cliffs, drop down towards the col between Binn Bhán and Binn Dhubh, known as Mám Eidhneach.

From the col, continue further South Westwards for a couple of minutes. Turn left up the East face of Binn Dhubh .From here the route gets considerably more difficult and involves some scrambling from time to time. After about 150 meters the route gets considerably easier. Continue towards the summit in a North Easterly direction. The view from the summit over the Derry Clare Horseshoe on the South West, and Gleann Eidhneach immediately below you on the East, is spectacular. From here descend Eastwards towards the next peak Binn an tSaighdiúra (the peak of the Soldier). This involves a decent of 240 m followed by an ascent of 250 m. Following Binn an tSaighdiúra continue North towards Binn an Choire Bhig at 583 meters. This involves some steep scrambling en route, around a pinnacle above Carrot Ridge at L814532. It is easier to keep to the East side when scrambling. Extreme caution should used on this short stretch!

From Binn an Choire Bhig descend to Gleann Eidhneach in a Northerly direction. There are quite a lot of large boulders and some small cliffs to be negotiated on the upper parts of this ridge. The walk from the bottom of the spur across the valley floor can be quite wet, particularly in winter time. Use the sheep fold or the farmhouse as a bearing. Care should be taken when crossing the river. It is normally quite shallow but can become swollen during heavy rainfall. Finally the path below the sheep fold is reached, which will lead you back to the car park.